Apparatus for making tapered tubular workpieces



June 22, 1937. s. FINDLATER APPARATUS FOR MAKING TAPERED TUBULAR WORKPIECES Fi led Dec. 29, 1954 s Sheets-Sheet 1 Hl ll Hllll IHH his fife/ways.

June x s. FINDLATER 2,084,332

I APPARATUS FOR MAKING TAPERED TUBULAR WORKPIECES Filed Dec. 29, 1934 s Sheeis-Sheet 2 [Mei d0)": 6TEVN50N HNDLHTEE,

June 22, 1937. s. FINDLATER 2,034,332

APPARATUS FOR MAKING TAPERED TUBULAR WORKPIECES Filed Dec. 29, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventor:

575VE/v50/v HNDLHTEE,

Patented June 22, 1937 APPARATUS FOR MAKING TAPERED TUBU- LAB, WOR-KPIECES Stevenson Findlater, McKeesport, Pa, assignor to National Tube Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application December 29, 1934, Serial No. 759,803

2 Claims. (Cl. 8013) This invention relates to apparatus for making tapered tubular workpieces. In constructional work of numerous types, it

is very desirable to have a tapered tubular workpiece, or cantilevered section; as for example in fabricating lamp-posts, trolley poles, masts and the like. The work-pieces from which these articles are made are usually provided by the welding of skelp in such manner as to require a tubu lar section of varying diameter and relatively constant wall-thickness. The purpose of such a work-piece is often defeated, or its efliciency seriously impaired by way of its wall-thickness being relatively constant, rather than changing in proportion to the change in its diameter, and particularly its outside diameter.

In a copending application entitled Seamless pipe or tube mill filed,November 21, 1934, Serial No. 754,168, I have disclosed apparatus which is in many respects similar to that disclosed herein. This copending application is, however, concerned with compensation for changes in the size of the pass of a pipe or tube mill due to the expansive influence of the highly heated work- Piece.

The temperature of a seamless pipe or tube mill is usually no higher at the end of a long period of operation than it was at the beginning. This is for the reason that the mill is started without cooling water on the rolls and heated billets passed therethrough until the rolls acquire a desired temperature. At this time the rolls are sprayed with water in order that the temperature will not rise greatly beyond that desired. In this manner the general temperature of the mill is maintained as desired; but as each highly heated billet, or work-piece, moves through it, the temperature of its elements is temporarily raised. This temporary rise in temperature 1 causes a correspondinglytemporary expansion, particularly of the mandrel bar; the effects of which are overcome by the use of the invention disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 754,168. A

It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a novel apparatus for making a tapered tubular work-piece in a very rapid and economical manner.

Another object is the provision of a novel method and apparatus of the class described which will operate to obtain a hollow work-piece which is not only tapered on its exterior, but is, in addition, tapered in wall-thickness.

A further object is the provision of 5. novel method and apparatus for making a tapered work-piece which, once initiated, will operate in an entirely automatic means, and obtain results within unusually fine tolerances, despite changes accruing from rises in temperature.

These and further objects will be apparent after referring to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan showing the apparatus of the invention as applied to a conventional type of seamless tube mill, with the work-piece in section.

Figure 2 is a view taken on the line 11-11 of Figure 1, and showing part of the apparatus in section.

Figure 3 is an end elevation taken on the line III-III of Figure 1.

Figures 4 and 5 are electrical circuits for operating the various elements of the invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 2 designates a pair of metal working rolls such as are conventionally used in pipe or tube mills. The rolls 2 are shownas being of the disk type, but might be one of a number of well known constructions. Ordinarily, in tube practice both of the metal working rolls 2 are power actuated, but it is to be understood that one of the same may be idle, and it is even within the contemplation of the invention to apply the principles thereof to any metal working mill employing a plurality of rolls which may be modified as to their relative positions in any satisfactory manner.

Each of the metal working rolls 2 is mounted on a shaft and driven through suitable mechanism, such asa gear B and pinion B, the latter having, an elongated surface to permit, relative longitudinal movement of the gear B and shaft 3.

A mandrel bar 4 is disposed in the longitudinal direction of feed of a work-piece, or tube A, and provided on one of its ends with a mandrel plug 4 which is adapted to internally support the ,work-piece while it is being processed by the rolls 2.

A suitable coupling 3 is provided for connecting one of the roll shafts 3 to a screw 5 and in jacent the large gear II and has a pinion l3 associated therewith for rotating a gear ll which is mounted on a shaft Hi. The shaft 15 carries one member of a magnetic clutch, generally indicated at I 6, while a cooperating shaft l5 carries 'throughthisgear the cooperating clutch member. A pinion I1 is ,caused by introducing metal of varying tempera-- tures'into the rolls. The operation is such that the variation in temperature of the work-piece being as measured by photoelectric, optical radiation, or other heat responsive device, will be transmitted .to the compensator motor l2, in such manner as to increase or retard thc rotation thereof, thereby varying the rate at which the comoemwr W V Any sui e and conventional electric wiring circuits, including heat responsive device, relays, and preferably also push-buttons, are provided for the motors l2 and It, and the magnetic brake 24 for the motor 22.

In operation, a work-piece A, which is shown as having been previously pierced. or otherwise made tubular, is introduced supported internally by the mandrel plug 4 The tube continues through the mill until a suitable load relay, or push-button, is operated tov energize the magnetic clutch it and release the magnetic brake 24, the rate of rotation of the shaft of the motor i2 being controlled through the suitable resistance mentioned. The rotation of this shaft permits the motor pinion ll, driving through the mechanism, orgear train ll, ll, it, 2., II, I and 8 to rotate the nut O and withdraw thescrew I, thereby gradually increasing the distancebetween the rolls 2 and the surfaces of the mandrel plug 4'. The rateof increase of this distance is, of' course, modified by the temperature of the work-piece A at numerous points along its length by means of the heat responsive device mentioned.

After the motor i2 hssbeen actuated to cause the screws I to be retracted sufllciently by the nut I, the return movement of the roll must be quickly eflected pending the arrival of the next work-piece. As the pinion 2! on the shaft of the motor 22 is in constant mesh with the large gear ll, asuitable relay, or the operator attending the device, momentarily energizes the magnetic brake 24 for the motor 22. This operation at the same time instantaneously deenergises the magnetic clutch it and disengages the motor i2. The moan 22 is then actuated to reverse the motion of thegear ll torapidly returntheroll'to apositionpredetermined by suitable limit switches which automatically stop the motor 22 and at the same time apply the brake 24.

-Whenthemotor 22 isenergilcdthelarge gear I I, which is in constant mesh with the pinion 23, causes the latter, gear II and pinion II to rotate. since the pinion 2. and gear II are mounted rigidly on the common shaft II. The motion train ends here, however. becausethemagneticclutchltisnotenergised, permitting the shaft 0! the motor 12, pinion ll, gear I andshaft llto remain atastandstillwhen, the motion transmitted by the motor 22 returns the roll to the position required for the entry of the next work-piece.

Referringto Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings.

22, the magnetic clutch device betweentherolls2while operated by the coils l1 and series of contacts I5, I! and I19,

I have disclosed, in a diagram, one form of electrical control which will function to operate the elements of the invention in the manner previously described. In this diagram the numerals II and Ii designate suitable power lines carrying a normal voltage; such as 220 v.

A master switch a is provided for operating the motor i2,which serves to retract one of the metal working rolls .2, and is connected between the power lines It and II by a line 34. The master provided with an operating lever II and the usual contacts l0, ll. 30, I, ll and ll. A

low-voltage coil II is connected in the line ll for the master switch a. and has two pairs of contacts I and l!" which it serves to will.

The contact ltofthemasterswitch lIiscon-,

nected to the line 34, between the low-voltage coil 42 and its contacts 43', by a line 4. A line 48 connects the contact 31 of the master switch titothelinellthroughthecontactsfl'of the low-voltage coil '4} and has included therein apairofcoilsll.

Aline llisconnectedtothecontacttlofthe master switch a and has included therein an auxiliary switch II, while aline ll is connected to the contact 30 and has included therein an auxiliary switch 41'. The lines ll and I. are con-' nected to the line 34 through the contacts 3' of the low-voltage coil it by a line I. which has included therein a coil Ii. I

The contact ll of the master switch 33 is connected to the line 34 through the contacts 48' of the low-voltage coil 43 by a line I2 in which there isincludedapairof coils ll.

A line H is provided for connecting the contact ll of the master switch 38 through the contacts P 01' the low-voltage coil It, and includes a series of coils II, I and I1, together with an auxiliary switch Ii". The auxiliary switches, 41' and 53' are operated by thecoils ll and ",respectivelv.

The motor I2 is connected 3. and I] by a line l6 and includesinits circuit contacts 41' and 41 and a and 58, which are II, respectively. A

are also included in the line It, together with a pair of contacts II. The contacts II P and II- are operated by the series of coils I, II and I, respectively. The auxiliary switch II and the contacts Ii are both operated by thecoil' ii.

Theheat responsive device indicated at x is connected by'a line II with a series of relays 0|. I, I2, I, II and 5, which in turn operate a held rheostattl. Eachoitheserelaysisadiustedtow,

gearing (not shown) the invention alsocontemplatathedrivinsofeach motor. The power lines 12 and." furnish the motor I. with current of a considerably higher voltage than that furnished through the power lines and ii; as for instance 600 volts. A

rollwithanindividual l0 shunt'llisicmdedinthelinellbetwcentheu power line I2 and the motor I0. A line I5 connects the shunt I4 with one end of a' load relay' 16. Another line 11 connects the shunt I4 with I the other end of the load relay I6 and has included therein a limit switch 16.

The magnetic clutch I6 which is carried on the shafts I5 and I5 is connected between the power lines 30 and 3| by a line 80, which has included therein two pairs of contacts,'as at '16 and 16 The magnetic brake 24 for the motor 22 is connected by a line 8| with the power lines 30 and 3|, and includes in circuit on each side thereof a pair of contacts, as at I09 and i09 respectively.

A line 83 is connected to the line 80 between the power line 30 and the contacts I6 and to the line 8| between the contacts I09 and the. magnetic brake 24, and includes a pair of contacts 116. A similar line 84 is connected to the line 80 between the power line 3I and the contacts I6 and to the line 8| between the contacts I 09 and the magnetic brake 24 and includes a pair of contacts 16 The contacts E6 16', 16 and I6 are all operated by the load relay-'I6.

A master switch 66 is provided for operating the motor 22 which returns the movable metal working roll 2 to its original position in the mill. This master switch 86 is connected between the power lines 30 and 3| by a line 67, and'provided with an operating lever 88 and contacts 89, 90, SI, 92, 93 and 94. A low-voltage coil 96 is connected in the line 81 for the master switch 86 and has two pairs-of contacts 96 and 96 which, it serves to operate.

The contact 89 of the master switch 86 is connected to the line 87 between e low-voltage coil 96 arid its contacts 96 by a line 9!.

A line 98 connects the contact 90 of the master switch 86.to the line 81 through the contacts '96 of the low-voltage coil 96 and includes therein a limit switch I00 and a pair of coils IN.

A line I02 is connected to the contact 9| of the .master switch 86 and includes a limit switch I03 and an auxiliary switch I I3, while a line I05 is connected to 131g contact 92 of the master switch 86 and has included therein a limit switch I06 and an auxiliary switch IN. The lines I02 and I 05 are connected to the line 81 through the contacts 96 of the low-voltage coil 96 bya line I08 which has included therein a pair of coils I09.

The contact 93 of the master switch 86 is connected to the line 81 through the contacts 96 of the low-voltage coil 96 by a line I I0 which has included therein a limit switch H2 and a pair of coils II3.

The limit switches I00 and I03 are suitably arranged to open when the motor 22 has placed the metal working roll 2 in its original position in the mill, while the limit switches I06 and II2 are arranged to open when the roll is in its extreme remote position with respect thereto.

A line I connects the contact 94 of the master switch 86-to the line 81 through the contacts 96* of the low-voltage coil 96 and includes a series of coils H5, H6 and Ill, and an auxiliary switch I09 It is to be noted that'an auxiliary switch 16 is interposed between the contacts 96 of the lowvoltage coil 96, and the coils IOI, I09 and H3 in the lines 98, I08 and H0, respectively. The auxiliary switches I0I and 3* are operated by the coils IM and H3, respectively.

The motor 22 is connected to the power lines 86 and II by a line I22 and includesin its circuit contacts'l0l and I0I and H3 and 3, which are also operated by the coils IM and 3, re-

spectively. The series field for the motor 22 is' included in this line I22, being designated at 22 and also a series of contacts I I 5*, II6 and H1 which are operated by the coils H5, H6 and III, respectively. A pair of contacts I09 are also included in a line I22 between the series of contacts 5*, H6 and II'I and the power line 3!. 1

The contacts I09, I09",- I09 and the auxiliary switch I09 1are all operated by the coils I09.

In operation: The operator of the mill moves the lever of the master switch 33 to the out position. At the time the lever '35 was resting in the of! position, the low-voltage coil 43 was closed, and is maintained by one of its contacts 63*. The movement of the lever 35 closes the contacts 39, and 4| of the master switch, thus energizing the coil 53 to open the contacts of the. auxiliary switch 53 and close the contacts 53 and 53; and the coil 5I to close the contacts 5|, and the contacts of the auxiliary switch 5|". The closing of the contacts of the auxiliary switch 5i" energizes the coils 55, 56 and 51, thus closing the contacts 55, 56 and 51. Upon the closing of the contacts 55, 56 and 5'! the motor working rolls 2 and over the mandrel plug 4, thepower required by the motor I0 passes through the shunt I4. The voltage drop across the shunt energizes the load relay I6 which closes the contacts I6 16, 16 and 16 and opens the auxiliary switch 16. The closing of. the contacts 16, 76 16 and 16 energizes the magnetic clutch I6 and the magnetic brake 24. In this manner the motor I2 is caused to rotate the nut 6 to withdraw one of the metal working rolls 2. The speed with which the motor I2 operates is, of course, determined by the setting of the hand operated rheostat 68, as previously mentioned. By withdrawing one of the metal working rolls 2, the work-piece A will be processed without material variation in its internal diameter, or bore, but its outside diameter will gradually increase from its leading to its trailing end.

The photoelectric pyrometer device X is set for a predetermined temperature indication and if the temperature of the work-piece A, as it passes the point upon which it is trained is either above or below this indication, the relays to -65, inclusive, are caused to function. The functioning of the relays 60 to 65, inclusive, will include or delete sections of the field rheostat 66, to increase or decrease the speed of operation of the motor I 2, which is withdrawing one of the metal working rolls 2. It will thus be seen that this rateof withdrawal is in direct proportion to the temperature of the work-piece A. That is to say, the metal working roll 2 willbe automatically withdrawn at an increased rate if the temperature of the work-piece A is more highly heated at certain points along its length than at others. This is for the reason that more highly heated portions of the work-ideas respond the "voltage drop not require the heavy reduction necessary to those portions thereof which are less highly heated.

The power required by the motor, or motors, III, which drives the metal working rolls 2, will approach zero after the trailing end of the work piece A has emerged from the mill. This causes across the shunt 14 to ap proaeh zero, and the consequent deenergization of the load relay 16. The deenergization of the load relay I6 causes the opening of the contacts 16, 16 I6 and 16, to deenergize the magnetic clutch I6 and the magnetic brake 24. The motor I2 is thus caused to cease the withdrawal of the metal working roll 2.

The opening of the contacts 16, 16 16,and li causes the auxiliary switch 16' to close. The closing of this auxiliary switch energizes the coils I09 and the coils lill through the contacts 9| and of the master switch IS. The energization of the coils I09 closes the contacts I09", I09, I09? and the contacts of the auxiliary switch I09. .The energization of the coils llll closes the contacts of the' auxiliary switch Ill and the contacts II and l0l." The closing of the contacts I09 and "I9 releases the magnetic brake 24, and the closing of the contacts of the auxiliary switch Hil and the contacts Ill and llll" starts the motor 22.

The closing of the contacts of the auxiliary .switch Hi9 energizes the coils H5, H6 and Ill to close the contacts H5, H6 and 1*. brings the motor 22 up, to full speed.

The limit switches I03 and Hill open when the motor 22 has restored the metal working roll 2 to its original position, the former deenergizing the coils I09 which causes the opening of the contacts 109', NW, MM and the contacts of the auxiliary switch lie The opening of the limit This switch I" deenergizes the coils I which causes.

the closing of the contacts of the auxiliary switch Ill, and the opening of the contacts Ill and Illa The opening of the various contacts eflected by the opening of the limit switches II! and I00 causes the deenergization of the motor 22 and the magnetic brake 24, thereby setting the latter.

The entire equipment is thus set for another cycle of operation, which is again initiated by the operation of the mill in the manner previously described.'

Itwillbereadilyseenby'thoseskilledinthe art that the work-piece A will emerge from the mill with a gradually increasing outside diameter from its leading to its trailing end, regardless of the variations in temperature throughout its length. In addition, the various elements of the apparatus of the invention may be easily adapted to produce any desired change in the wall thickness of the work-piece A, however complex, by making simple adlustments I claim:

1. Apparatus for making tapered tubular work-pieces comprising, in combination, at least one power actuated metal working roll, a roll for coacting with said first named roll, a mandrel bar, a mandrel plug supported by said mandrel bar, said mandrel plug being disposed intermediate said rolls, means for withdrawing at least one of said elements to'increase the distance between said rolls and the surfaces of said mandrel plug while a work-piece is being acted upon thereby, means responsive to'the tempera: ture of said work-piece for modifying the speed of operation of said withdrawing means, said withdrawing means and said last named means being constructed and cooperatively arrangedto enlarge the pass while said work-piece is moving therethrough, and means for returning the withdrawn element to its initial position.

2. Apparatus one power actuated metal working roll, a roll for coacting with said first named roll, a mandrel plug disposed intermediate said rolls, means for withdrawing at least one of said rolls'to increase the distance therebetween while a workpiece is being acted upon thereby, means responsive to the for modifying the speed of operation of said withdrawing means, said withdrawing means and said last named means being constructed and cooperatively arranged to enlarge the pass while said pipe or tube is moving therethrough, and means fofl returning the withdrawn roll to its initial position.

STEVENSON FINDLA'I'ER.

/ for making tapered tubular work-pieces comprising, in combination, at least temperature of said work-piece 

